Deferred action type battery



Jan. 19, 1960 L. M. MoTr-SMITH 2,921,974

DEFERRED ACTION TYPE BATTERY Filed Oct. 2l, 1943 /3 /5a 20 6 3 V 0 l v,'ll /l l vl IfI H I ii L lm r; 2 /al la p il ing hi @my ,9 fg IMM if 5fE 25 29 1 i: w I 29 I f r 2f @"1 H 2/ I F163.

22 [Tf 2 I 24 22 23 2 2.9 /2 /8 F/G. 2 ix WAX '0 in :l 29 \.|Anll|||||rY Illu@ l. LEA/g H 29 gg-LING l, l H jiwffwi la x lnllllmumlEMSM'IVTy-SM/TH 29 /a 29 BY United States Patent O DEFERRED ACTION TYPEBA'I'I'ERY Lewis M. Mott-Smith, Houston, Tex., assigner to the UnitedStates of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyApplication October 21, 1943, Serial No. 507,168

9 Claims. (Cl. 136-90) This invention relates -to batteries and hasparticular relation to primary cell, deferred action type batteriesadapted for use in electrically detonated projectiles and other ordnancemissiles.

Projectiles containing electrically operable detonating fuses must beequipped with a source of electric current which will not deteriorateand which will be ready at all times -to deliver full voltage in anactivation time which is practicany instantaneous. Batteries providingthe source of current for projectiles of this type must be operable atall climatic conditions of temperature and humidity present on thesurface of the earth and at high altitudes to which projectiles andother ordnance missiles are exposed. lt is also desirable that theelectric current be initiated by the setback resulting from forwardacceleration of the projectile when it is tired from a gun or otherprojector. This is of particular importance when a projectile is iire'dfrom a smooth bore gun or similar projector which does not impartsubstantial rotation to the projectile, since in this instancecentrifugal .force does not act upon the projectile to any appreciableextent and cannot be utilized to initiate the battery action.

An object of the invention is to provide a primary cell, deferred actiontype battery which will not deteriorate and lremains unactivated untilthe projectile in which it is mounted is fired, at which time thebattery is capable of delivering its full voltage practicallyinstantaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a battery which is notadversey aifected by rapidly varying conditions of temperature andhumidity and which is operable at high and low temperatures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a battery which isactivated under the pressure of a suitable electrolytic gas so thatcomplete activation will be assured instantaneously, regardless ofwhether or not centrifugal force is present to disperse the electrolyte.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a battery which isconstructed to withstand severe handlingwithout breaking or becomingactivated, but which is so constructed that the ampoule employed forcontining the electrolytic gas will shatter upon tiring of theprojectile containing the battery, thus causing the battery to becomefully operative.

A battery made in accordance with the present invention comprises acasing containing longitudinal stacks each comprising anode and cathodeelements which are normally separated by a cell space for receiving anelectrolyte. The stacks are mounted in a radial series and define anaxial recess containing a frangible ampoule and also a suitable meansfor breaking the ampoule when the battery is subjected to a substantialforce of setback, as in firing a projectile in which the battery ismounted. The ampoule is lled with an electrolytic gas under a pressurewhich is sufficient to distribute the gas throughout the cells when theampoule is fractured.

-In the preferred form of the battery, the gas is forced runder pressurefrom the ampoule into the cell between 'the electrode elements of eachstack, where it combines rice chemically with a solution absorbed in alayer of blotting paper, or the like, to form an electrolyte whichimmediately activates the battery. I prefer to employ hydrocbloric acidgas, although other gaseous mixtures which will dissolve in the aqueoussolvent in the blotting paper to form an electrolyte are suitable.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the use of agaseous electrolyte which will permeate throughout the battery withoutthe aid of centrifugal force or setback. Deferred action type batterieshaving an ampoule containing liquid electrolyte are known. However, whenan ampoule containing a liquid electrolyte is broken, the force ofsetback forces the liquid rapidly to the rear end of the battery,thereby preventing the liquid from being distributed properly throughoutthe cells, and often the battery generates a low voltage or remainscompletely unactivated. lf the battery is subjected simultaneously tocentrifugal force and a force of setback, there is a tendency for theliquid to spread radially while it is being acted upon by the force ofsetback, but this momentary spread is frequently insuicient to generatethe required voltage or even to begin activation of the battery in theshort activation time required.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to` theaccompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional viewof one form of the new battery;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cross section of the battery taken onthe line 2 2 of Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the stacks, withparts broken away to show the construction more clearly.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 10 indicates a casing made of asuitable electrically insulating, electrolyte-impervious material suchas Bakelite, and having a side wall 11, a rear wall 12, and aterminalblock 13 which closes the front end of the casing. The terminal blockincludes a plurality of turrets 14 in which are positioned contact jawterminals, one of which is shown at 15.

In the terminal block is a relief valve 16 which is formed of rubber,although any suitable relief valve, such as a ball-type relief valve,may be employed. Mounted on the rear wall 12 and extending forwardlytherefrom, axially of the casing, is a puncturing element 17 which isshown in the form of a tapered stem terrninating at its front end in asharpened point. A series of longitudinal stacks or electrode elements18 are mounted radially in the casing, and the inner portions thereofdetine an axial recess 19 for receiving a frangible ampoule 20containing an electrolytic gas under substantial pressure.

Each stack 18 preferably comprises adjacent cells each including a stripof zinc foil 21, a strip of lead foil 22 coated with lead dioxide, and asheet of wetted blotting paper 23 separating the lead and zinc strips,adjacent cells being separated by waxed paper 24. The zinc and leadfoils constitute the electrodes, and the blotting paper provides acarrier for an aqueous solution which combines with the gas from'theampoule, when the latter is punctured. The waxed paper 24 providesinsulation between adjacent cells or sets of electrodes. The blottingpaper 23 is preferably wetted with a water-glycerine solution, in lieuof water alone, to prevent freezing at low temperatures. A suitablenumber of stacks of electrodes is provided to produce the desiredvoltages at the terminal jaws 1S. The positive platev of one `cell is incontact with the negative plate of the adjoining rcell, and the cellsare connected together as indicated diagrammatically by the wires inFigure 2.

Surrounding the puncturing element 17 within the recess 19 is aVcompression spring 25, the upper end of which normally projects abovethe point of the punctur- Y ing'element. The ampoule 20, which is formedof lglass or other frangible materialyis litted loosely in the recess 19and has its lower end portion seated in the upper endY coil ofV thespring-25. The anipoule is Vformed 4with a constric'ted neck 26 which ispositioned above lthe'po'int ofthe puncturing-'element 4and has -an endNclosure-disk 27 for engagement by the puncturing element. The ampouleis limited against upward movement by the terminal block 13. vIn thisVconnection,it -will-be understood that a suitable'cushioning means orYpotting cornpound may be employed 'for protecting the ampoule againstaccidental breakage Vresulting from rough handling. Prior to itsinstallation, the ampoule is Vlled lunder pressure with an electrolyticgas, such as hydrochloric acid gas, although any gas which will serve toactivate the battery -when it disperses through the cells is suitable.

In one use of the Vnew battery, it is rst positioned in va projectileand'is electrically connected with the components of an electricallyoperated fnze. When the projectile is `tired, the initial force ofsetback,-resulting'from Vacceleration imparted to the projectile, drivesthe ampoule downwardly, compressing the spring 25 and puncturing thedisk 27 with the sharpened point of the element 17. YUponpuncturing ofthe disk, the gas immediately expands and disperses under the gaseouspressure throughout the battery, reacting with the laqueous solutionabsorbed inthe strips of blotting paper 23 to produce a liquidelectrolyte. This electrolyte immediately provides the necessarychemical action with the zinc and lead foils\21 and 22 in the stackslfor causing the battery to produce immediately its rated voltage, whichis conducted to the terminals 15 and then to the fuze of the projectile.l

The compression spring 25 serves to position the ampoule snuglyagainstthe end of a recess 13a in the terminal'plate 13 to prevent the ampoulefrom accidentally contacting the puncturing element. The valve 16 isadjusted to permit the escape of excess gas so that damage to thebattery by excessive gas pressure will be prevented.

It will be understood that the casing of the battery is Veffectivelysealed to prevent the escape of the gas and to prevent the aqueoussolution in the blotting paper strips from evaporating. The stacks 18may be held in position in the casing and in any desired manner, as bysecuring-their outer portions in longitudinal slots 29 in vthe innersur-faceV of side wall 11.

I claim: 1. Ina primary cell, ydeferred action type battery havingasealed casing and electrode elements mounted in spaced relation to eachother in the casing to provide an electrolyte space between saidelements, the combination of-a frangible ampoule in the casing, anelectrolytic gas under pressure in the ampoule, and means for fracturingthe ampoule to release the gas therefrom whereby `the gas is dispersedunder Vits own pressure into said space and into co-action with theelectrode elements to activate the battery.

Z. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery having a sealedcasing and electrode elements mounted in spaced relation to each otherin the casing to'provide an electrolyte space-between said elements, thecombination 'of an absorbent material in said space normally separatingsaid elements, Va liquid saturating said material, a

frangible ampoule in the casing,an electrolytic gas under pressure inthe'ampoulejand means for fracturing the ampoule to release the gastherefrom whereby the gas is dispersed under its own pressure into saidspace to combine with said liquid'andproduce an electrolyte foractivating the battery.

3. In a primaryv cell, *deferred action type Ybattery hav- 'ing-aVsealedcasing andV electrode elements Amounted in spaced relation to each.other in the casing'to provide an 'electrolyte space between saidVelements, the combination of an absorbent material in said spacenormally sepalrating said elements, an aqueous liquid saturating saidmaterial, a frangible sealed ampoule in the casing, hydrochloric acidgas under pressure in the ampoule, and means for fracturing the ampouleto release said gas therefrom whereby the gas is dispersed under its ownpressure into said space to combine with said liquid and produce anelectrolyte for activating the battery.

4. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery having a sealedcasing and electrodes comprising alternate layers of zinc foil andlead`foil coated with lead dioxide and mounted in spaced relation toeach other in the casingto provide an electrolyte space between saidelements,the combination of an absorbent material in said space normallyseparating said electrodes, a liquid saturating said material, afraugible ampoule in the casing, an electrolytic gas under pressure inthe ampoule, and means for fracturing the ampoule to release the gastherefrom whereby the gas is dispersed under its own pressure into saidspace to combine with said liquid and produce an electrolyte foractivating the battery. v

5. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery having asealed casingVand electrode elements mounted in spaced relation to each other in thecasing to provide an electrolyte space between said elements, thecombination of a frangible ampoule in the casing, an electrolytic gasunder pressure in the ampoule, and means for fracturing the ampoule bythe force of setback resulting from high acceleration of the battery torelease the gas therefrom whereby the gas is dispersed under its ownpressure into said space and into co-action with the eletrod'e elements-to activate the battery. f

Awhereby the gas is dispersed under its own pressure into said space andinto co-action with the electrode elements to activate the battery, anda safety valve mounted in said casing for releasing excess gas pressurefrom the casing.

7. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery for use inelectrically detonated projectiles, said battery having a sealed casingand electrode elements radially mounted to define an axial recess andmounted in spaced relation to each other to provide an electrolyte spacebetween said elements,the combination of an absorbent material in saidspace separating said elements, a liquid normally saturating'saidmaterial, a frangible ampoule slidably positioned in ,said axial recess,an electrolytic gas .under pressure in the ampoule, a puncturing elementmounted in said recess, and a compression spring in said recess forresisting sliding movement of said ampoule toward said puncturingelement, Vsaid ampoule being slidable under setback to compress thespring and shatter the puncturing element, whereby the gas is releasedand dispersed under its own pressure into said space and into co-actionwith the electrode elements to -activate the battery.

8. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery for use inelectrically operated projectiles, said battery having a sealed casingand electrode elements radially mounted to define an axial recess andmounted in spaced relation to each other to provide an electrolyte spacebetween said elements, the vcombination of an absorbent material in saidspace separating said elements, a liquid normally saturating saidmaterial, a frangible ampoule slidably positioned in the forward end ofsaid axial recess, an electrolytic gas under pressure in the ampoule, apuncturing element mounted in the rearward end of said recess, and a.compression spring in `said recess surrounding and normally extendingbeyondV the puncturingv element for resisting sliding movement of saidampoule toward said puncturing element, said ampoule being slidableunder setback to compress the spring and shatter the puncturing element,whereby the gas is released and dispersed under its own pressure intosaid space and into co-action with the electrode elements to activatethe battery.

9. In a primary cell, deferred action type battery having a sealedcasing containing a frangible ampoule and an electrolytic uid in theampoule, the combination of a plurality of sets of electrode elementsradially mounted in the casing to define an axial recess in which saidampoule is slidable, each set including anode and cathode membersdisposed in spaced relation and defining an electrolyte space extendingradially from said recess, a pune- 15 turing element mounted in saidrecess, and a compression spring in said recess for resisting slidingmovement of said ampoule toward said puncturing element, said ampoulebeing slidable under setback to compress the spring and engage thepuncturing element, whereby said fluid is released for dispersionradially into said space and into co-action with the electrodeA elementsto activate the battery.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,333,295 Drambourg Mar. 9, 1920 1,717,244 Oppenheim June 11, 1929FOREIGN PATENTS 526,800 Great Britain Sept. 25, 1940

1. IN A PRIMARY CELL, DEFERRED ACTION TYPE BATTERY HAVING A SEALEDCASING AND ELECTRODE ELEMENTS MOUNTED IN SPACED RELATION TO EACH OTHERIN THE CASING TO PROVIDE AN ELECTROLYTE SPACE BETWEEN SAID ELEMENTS, THECOMBINATION OF A FRANGIBLE AMPOULE IN THE CASING, AN ELECTROLYTIC GASUNDER PRESSURE IN THE AMPOULE, AND MEANS FOR FRACTURING THE AMPOULE TORELEASE THE GAS THEREFROM WHEREBY THE GAS IS DISPERSED UNDER ITS OWNPRESSURE INTO SAID SPACE AND INTO CO-ACTION WITH THE ELECTRODE ELEMENTSTO ACTIVATE THE BATTERY.